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this and provided a tremendous boost to the Irish economy. Through structured initiatives, the Government aims to leverage international sports events, like the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament, to boost participation levels in sport, together with building a lasting social, economic and sporting legacy for future generations … possible individually. In this regard, a community programme is being developed that will connect the participating nations and leverage the power of a UEFA Euro tournament to create additional impact for communities and drive meaningful benefits. Euro 2028 can also be a platform to amplify key national policies

Ireland’s upcoming fixture against Israel should not go ahead. I want to state clearly that I condemn UEFA for its handling of this issue, a handling that shows a flagrant disregard for its principles. When Russia invaded Ukraine, UEFA acted swiftly to sideline it from the competition … state sanctioned and another afforded impunity? In November, the FAI passed a motion calling for Israel to be banned from UEFA competitions. That was a principled position reflecting the views of the grassroots. Yet by February, that stance was abandoned, with the FAI confirming that this fixture would

good in our world but sportswashing is a blight on the game and has been rampant over the last period. FIFA and UEFA permitting Israel’s Nations League participation while a genocide is carried out is both abhorrent and damaging. It is also wrong that the decision … community’s response to the genocide and to sportswashing. In November, a resolution was passed by FAI members to submit a motion to UEFA to ban Israel from its European club and international competitions. The resolution requested the immediate suspension of Israel from European competitions and cited violations

give the Minister of State the facts again. Six Israeli teams currently play in occupied Palestinian territory in direct contradiction to FIFA and UEFA's own rules but, of course, FIFA and UEFA, being so corrupt, do absolutely nothing about it. Amnesty has noted that UEFA and FIFA

case. We would be kicked out of every tournament that is coming up. That would have to be a decision made by UEFA, not a decision made by the FAI. If it did, it would probably be the end of Irish soccer as we know … should sideline our international team from playing with anyone. That is not a decision the FAI can make, it is a decision that UEFA has to make. If UEFA make it then, we know that, going forward, our football teams can take part in other competitions

anything here, but I will say that this game should not be going ahead. Israel should be banned from participation in FIFA and UEFA competitions. The Israel Football Association has breached multiple UEFA and FIFA statutes. Six Israeli clubs play on occupied territories - Palestinian lands. There are reports

comments made recently by me in my capacity as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on sport opposing Ireland playing Israel in the upcoming UEFA Nations League match. This, as everybody is aware by now, came at huge personal cost to me and led to me being removed from

requirement of €860 million over 15 years to bring our infrastructure up to standard. Only one of 20 League of Ireland stadiums meets UEFA category 4 standards. That means our clubs cannot host European competition games in their own communities. With Euro 2028 on the horizon, an event